I don't usually read those opinion pieces, but I think what the point is is that if your team is going to suck anyway, the manager isn't going to be hung out to dry as much.
His base deal if I recall correctly is three years with an option for a fourth. If he was a stopgap, you don't guarantee more than two years. They might realize that they need some time to build up the team, and after two seasons they'll probably evaluate how they're doing and either retain Sveum if he's shown good leadership or dump him if they're ready to contend and he's been a tool.